Resident Alien: Season Two Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.5

Resident Alien: Season Two Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman March 4, 2023

Universal has released the second season of the fan-favorite Sci-Fi TV series 'Resident Alien,' starring Alan Tudyk as the title character, to Bu-ray. The presentation includes all sixteen season two episodes on four discs. Disc four houses scant bonus material. The video and audio presentations are very good. Note that season one is also available on Blu-ray.

Official synopsis: An alien crash lands on Earth ad must pass himself off as small-town human doctor Harry Vanderspeigle. Arriving with a secret mission to kill all humans, Harry starts off living a simple life...but things get a bit rocky when he's roped into solving a local murder and realizes he needs to assimilate into his new world.

Season two lacks the tightness and interesting novelty that the first season introduced. It can't quite build up a compelling total narrative as did season one. It feels as if it is, at times, trying to repackage some of the drama and dynamics from season one, to mixed result. On one hand, the humor and offbeat characterization still work, thanks in large part to Tudyk's masterful performance as the lead character, whether in human or alien form. He is easily the rock in the show, and because it never grows tiresome to watch him interact with, respond to, and observe the alien world around him, the show continues to thrive. Nevertheless, season two can only do so much to navigate the tricky ground of building on season one while maintaining the essence of season one. The show is more about the character and his personality than it is the storyline, and at 16 episodes the latter suffers. Thanks to that performance, however, 16 episodes are welcome solely to enjoy Tudyk at work.

The following episodes comprise season one. Episode summaries are courtesy of the Blu-ray packaging. Note that some serious spoilers are included below!:

Disc One:

• Old Friends: Harry, the alien, is back on Earth but doesn't remember who he is and only Asta can keep him safe.
• The Wire: Harry has a plan to save Asta and himself but first he must attend the Sheriff’s poker game.
• Girls' Night: Harry meets a woman unlike any other and realizes that she is the key to his new mission.
• Radio Harry: Is Harry building another bomb? Asta is going to find out as they go camping on the reservation.

Disc Two:

• Family Day: Harry and Asta’s trip is interrupted by an uninvited relative as the town celebrates family.
• An Alien in New York: Harry and Asta travel to New York looking for one of his people, but things go horribly wrong.
• Escape from New York: Harry and Asta find what they are looking for but not what they need as danger closes in.
• Alien Dinner Party: It’s a surprise party as everyone gathers to celebrate Harry, but some dangerous guests cause havoc.

Disc Three:

• Autopsy: Asta is overwhelmed with guilt after she, Harry, and D’arcy get rid of the dead body.
• The Ghost of Bobby Smallwood: Asta helps Harry learn how to deal with his newfound fear of death.
• The Weight: Asta tells Dan about the shooting while Harry learns what it takes to be a good friend.
• The Alien Within: Ben Struggles to get the townspeople to accept the resort, while Harry and Asta find out the origins of Goliath.

Disc Four:

• Harry, A Parent: After losing the alien baby, Harry learns which alien race is on Earth and it's not what he expected.
• Cat and Mouse: Harry goes head-to-head with one of his biggest enemies.
• Best of Enemies: Harry has an unexpected partner as he tries to infiltrate a military base to find his alien baby.
• I Believe in Aliens: Harry comes face to face with his greatest enemy and makes a choice that may affect Earth forever.

Resident Alien: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Universal's 1080p Blu-ray release of Resident Alien: Season Two looks great. The image is in-line with the previous season, presenting a clean, efficient, and satisfying digitally sourced image. Clarity is excellent with fine detail evident on faces and alien makeup and digital effects. Viewers will never be left wanting as the picture proves continuously capable of revealing every bit of intricate definition available. This extends to clothes, terrain, and environments as well, all of which are gorgeously rendered and present all of the clarity one could want from a TV digital production. Colors are rich and full as well, offering a natural palette that is alive with depth and vitality. There are no color disappointments on clothes or environments and certainly not on faces and skin. Black levels are commendably balanced, and whites are crisp. Source noise is minimal and compression issues are nearly nonexistent seeing as Universal has spread the season over four discs, offering plenty of room for each episode to breathe. This is a fine-looking Blu-ray.

Resident Alien: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack is satisfyingly dynamic, offering ample yet balanced surround activity and fine overall clarity. The track is also full, offering plenty of substance and body. The combination of clarity, depth, and fullness make for a very good listen. Environments are always rich and immersive, allowing the listener to feel engaged, whether out on the street, in a hospital room, or anywhere where audio cues help to amplify a location. Music is tight and detailed with wide front side spacing and a healthy but balanced surround component. Action elements are wonderful, offering that trifecta combination of depth, definition, and surround content. Listeners will never be disappointed in the various higher yield elements at work throughout the season. Dialogue, of course, is clear and centered and well prioritized above competing content. This is a very pleasing track from Universal.

Resident Alien: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This second season Blu-ray release of Resident Alien contains Deleted Scenes on disc four. The scenes are from the episode Harry, A Parent (1080p, 4:11). No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. This release does not ship with a slipcover.

Resident Alien: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Resident Alien's second season runs 16 episodes, which is six more than season one's ten episodes. It's a bit long, and the story seems to struggle to hold some of its focus, but the inherent charm is still there, as is the humor. Season three will feature only eight episodes, which may offer a tighter narrative approach, but also may be signal a waning interest in the show at SyFy. Only time will tell. As it is, season two is solid, and the Blu-ray is great, at least in terms of its A/V quality. The supplements are a weak point, but the rest of the package is solid. Recommended.